Selectors must get tough now!

Failure in all departments of the game has brought India on the brink of another Test defeat against England. After a disastrous Day Four at the Eden Gardens, an infuriated Sambaran Banerjee, former national selector and Bengal’s Ranji Trophy-winning captain, called for at least three changes in the squad that will be announced today by the national selectors.

Sambaran Banerjee

“Ajinkya Rahane should come in place of Yuvraj Singh, who is a proven failure in the five-day format. Though not among runs, I feel Rohit Sharma, too, can walk into the squad. He has a sound technique to counter quality bowling. Ashok Dinda should also be given a chance at the expense of Ishant Sharma. Someone like Ishant has been given enough opportunities to perform,” Banerjee said.

“I always felt that someone making a comeback should have done something extraordinary to find a place in the squad, which Ishant didn’t. I am a little surprised that selectors still showed a lot of faith in him,” he clarified. Banerjee lamented that the team was not even trying to put up a fight. “This English side is far better than the Indian side in all aspects, but still, losing without even putting up a fight was the last thing expected,” Banerjee told SUNDAY MiD DAY.

Banerjee, a wicketkeeper himself, was also critical of skipper MS Dhoni’s performance behind the stumps. “What is he doing behind the stumps? He has conceded so many byes and his ball gathering is not perfect too. I think it’s time for him (Dhoni) to hand over the gloves to someone younger like Wriddhiman Saha, who is a better wicketkeeper. Dhoni can lead the team as a specialist batsman as he has been scoring useful runs,” he said.